The gaikokujin gamer’s guide to Akihabara, Japan’s “Electric Town”

Gallery: Seeking out retro games and electronics from the not-too-distant future.

When I was in grade school in the early 90s, Japan had an inherent air of mystery as the place where most of my video games and electronics came from. Schoolyard rumors abounded of how the Japanese were already up to, like, Super Mario 19. And they allegedly had robots that could actually bring you a soda from the fridge without getting up off the couch. ('It is so true, my cousin's friend went there and he saw it! No, you're stupid!')

OK, as I got older, I realized some of those stories about Japanese wares were a little, um, overstated. But the country still held its allure as a mecca of technology and gaming shops. So when I flew out for my first-ever Toyko Game Show this year, I had to take some free time to check out the shopping in Akihabara, the "Electric Town" district known the world over as a tech nerd mecca (sometimes abbreviated as "Akiba").

I only had a chance to check out a few of the massive, multi-floor stores, but that was plenty to highlight the amazing similarities and differences between the Japanese and American markets. Don't take my word for it; check out the quick visual guide I've put together below.

I'm divided on whether the "Book Off" sign is an intentionally rude double entendre or just an endearing Japanese-ism. Maybe both?

I'm divided on whether the "Book Off" sign is an intentionally rude double entendre or just an endearing Japanese-ism. Maybe both?

My first stop in Akiba, just behind the train station, was Yodobashi Camera. This space is renowned as one of the most well-stocked and wide-ranging electronics stores on the planet. It lived up to its reputation.

The constant promotion of WiMax products around Tokyo has me further convinced that Japan actually exists in the not-too-distant future.

Need an idea of the sheer scale of the seven-floor Yodobashi complex? I hope this shot of the five full aisles of just iPad cases gives you an idea.

Yodobashi isn't just about pre-packaged goods. They also carry individual components for those who want to build their own PCs.

Need a tripod? Yodobashi has... a few.

Yodobashi's selection of 4K TVs ranged from about $4,000 to about $26,000. Selection was limited, though; seems Japan isn't too far ahead of the curve on this one.

It's hard to tell from this picture, but the front window of this washing machine is an LCD screen showing a rotating advertisement touting the washer's features. I couldn't tell if this was just a store display or if there is actually a monitor built into each unit. In any case, it's just more proof that Japan is years ahead of us in washer-TV technology.

I was kind of shocked to see two Western games with large advertising banners as I entered Yodobashi's gaming floor. In general, Western games had a much bigger presence than I expected based on Japan's insular reputation.

I'm pretty sure that Puppeteer isn't getting anywhere close to this much point-of-purchase promotion in the US, but I could be wrong.

Sometimes I feel like Japan is mocking the rest of the world with its wide array of colored portable systems.

Just look at all those colors... sitting there... mocking us...

When's the last time you saw a significant display of new PSP games in a store? For me, it was just this week.

The main feature of this Monster Hunter 4-branded 3DS cradle is expanded shoulder buttons. Useful when you spend half the day holding one down to target enemies, I suppose.

Japan is like an alternate universe where the 3DS' augmented reality cards are actually popular and offered prominently in stores. Crazy!

Another oddity to Western eyes: an aisle of download codes for specific Wii U games. Makes sense, considering that Japan is not a very credit-card-heavy society. These cards allow users to buy specific downloads with cash easily.

I included this picture mainly to rub in the fact that these guys are playing Pokemon X & Y and our own Andrew Cunningham is not, even though he desperately wants to.

Animal Crossing is absolutely huge here. Everywhere I went there was some other bit of merchandising surrounding the game. In the US, you'd be lucky to find any.

There's a fair number of Mario-themed plush toys available in the US, but I'm guessing the Flying Squirrel Suit Blue Toad is way too obscure to have penetrated the domestic market yet.

I'm not really sure what is going on with these Smurf figures, and I'm not sure I want to know.

Remember Tower Records? It didn't die... it just moved to Japan to live at Yodobashi Camera, apparently.

Three things: 1) Why is King Boo named King Teresa in Japan? 2) Why is this product made by Taito, an ostensible Nintendo competitor? 3) Why were these lights absolutely everywhere in Akihabara? How did they become so fashionable?

Kyle Orland

Yeah, I'm in Akihabara. Meet me by the shop with the creepy-yet-welcoming 20-foot-wide man in the striped shirt.

There are a lot of differences between Japan and the US, but the selection in the gaming bargain bins is actually quite similar.

I have no idea what is in these emoticon'ed packages, and I had no desire to pay money (or learn Japanese) to find out. Commenters, any help?

Grand Theft Auto V was displayed prominently absolutely everywhere in Akihabara, which was surprising for such a Western-focused release. Also, note the different prices for the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions, reflecting the differing demand for each system.

Kyle Orland

The characteristic sign for Super Potato, probably the best-known retro game store in Akihabara. Going in was like entering a dream for me.

Working, good-condition Famicom systems are apparently super-common in Japan judging by this shot. Japanese people routinely use them in place of paper towels, that's how common they are. It's true!

Yes, Super Potato was asking the equivalent of well over $200 for a boxed copy of the crappy Batman & Robin game for the Genesis/Mega Drive. Remember: Rarity has nothing to do with quality.

Despite the heavily damaged box, this Super Mario Bros. Game & Watch unit was the most expensive thing in Super Potato by a good margin, demanding the equivalent of over $1,000.

What do the Vectrex and the R.O.B. robot controller for the NES have in common? Neither of them were for sale despite being displayed at Super Potato.

A very rare FamicomBox splitter that allows for up to 15 game cartridges to be plugged in at once for store displays. It only works with specially designed cartridges.

A Virtual Boy store display. Of course it was working.

Even with a broken gun, this life-size Snake statue is a pretty imposing presence on Super Potato's arcade floor.

Presented without comment.

Your local GameStop won't even take back PS2 games anymore, yet Super Potato has row after row of immaculate, boxed Famicom games.

Kyle Orland / Kyle is the Senior Gaming Editor at Ars Technica, specializing in video game hardware and software. He has journalism and computer science degrees from University of Maryland. He is based in the Washington, DC area.